Proton-conducting membrane and use thereof

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a novel proton-conducting polymer membrane based on polyazoles which can, owing to its excellent chemical and thermal properties, be used for a variety of purposes and is particularly suitable as a polymer-electrolyte membrane (PEM) for the production of membrane electrode units for so-called PEM fuel cells.

The present invention relates to a novel proton-conducting polymer membrane based on polyazoles which can, owing to its excellent chemical and thermal properties, be used for a variety of purposes and is particularly suitable as a polymer-electrolyte membrane (PEM) in so-called PEM fuel cells.

Polyazoles such as polybenzimidazoles (®Celazole) have been known for a long time. The production of such polybenzimidazoles (PBI) is usually conducted by reacting 3,3′,4,4′-tetraaminobiphenyl with isophthalic acid or its esters in the melt. The resulting prepolymer solidifies in the reactor und is subsequently comminuted mechanically. The pulverulent prepolymer is then fully polymerised in a solid-state polymerisation at temperatures of up to 400° C. and the desired polybenzimidazole is obtained.

To produce polymer films, the PBI is dissolved in an additional step in polar, aprotic solvents such as dimethylacetamide (DMAc) and a film is produced by means of classical processes.

Proton-conducting, i.e. acid-doped polyazole membranes for use in PEM fuel cells are already known. The alkaline polyazole films are doped with concentrated phosphoric acid or sulphuric acid and then act as proton conductors and separators in so-called polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEM fuel cells).

Due to the excellent properties of the polyazole polymer, such polymer electrolyte membranes—processed to produce membrane electrode units (MEUs)—can be employed in fuel cells at long-term operating temperatures above 100° C., in particular above 120° C. This high long-term operating temperature allows increasing the activity of the catalysts based on noble metals which are included in the membrane electrode unit (MEU). Especially when the so-called reformates from hydrocarbons are used, the reformer gas contains considerable amounts of carbon monoxide which usually have to be removed by means of an elaborate gas conditioning or gas purification process. Owing to the possibility to increase the operating temperature, significantly higher concentrations of CO impurities can be tolerated permanently.

By employing polymer electrolyte membranes based on polyazole polymers, it is possible, on the one hand, to partly dispense with the elaborate gas conditioning or gas purification process and, on the other hand, to reduce the catalyst load in the membrane electrode unit. These are both indispensable preconditions for a large-scale use of PEM fuel cells as otherwise the cost for a PEM fuel cell system is too high.

The previously known acid-doped polymer membranes based on polyazoles already display a beneficial property profile. However, due to the intended applications for PEM fuel cells, in particular in the automobile sector and the decentralised electricity and heat generation (stationary sector), these need to be improved altogether. Furthermore, the previously known polymer membranes have a high content of dimethylacetamide (DMAc) which cannot be removed completely by means of known drying methods. The German patent application No. 10109829.4 describes a polymer membrane based on polyazoles in which the DMAc contamination was removed.

Polymer membranes based on polyazoles which are produced from polyphosphoric acids are known from the German patent applications No. 10117686.4, 10117687.2 and 10144815.5. These membranes display an excellent performance, in particular at operating temperatures above 100° C. However, these membranes have the disadvantage that they exhibit a relatively high overvoltage, in particular at the cathode.

It is an object of the present invention to provide polymer membranes that are based on polyazoles and contain organic acid, which, on the one hand, display the advantages of the polymer membrane based on polyazoles in terms of application technology and, on the other hand, have an increased specific conductivity, in particular at operating temperatures above 100° C., and additionally exhibit a markedly lower overvoltage, in particular at the cathode.

We have now found that a proton-conducting membrane based on polyazoles can be obtained when the commercially available polyazole polymer is suspended or dissolved in organic phosphonic anhydrides resp. dissolved for the purpose of producing the membrane.

With this new membrane, it is possible to dispense with the specific post-treatment described in the German Patent application No. 10109829.4.

The object of the present invention is a proton-conducting polymer membrane based on polyazoles which can be obtained by a process comprising the steps of

-   A) dissolving the polyazol-polymer in organic phosphonic anhydrides     with formation of a solution and/or dispersion, -   B) heating the solution obtainable in accordance with step A) under     inert gas to temperatures of up to 400° C., preferably up to 350°     C., particularly of up to 300° C., -   C) forming a membrane using the solution of the polyazole polymer in     accordance with step B) on a support and -   D) treatment of the membrane formed in step C) until it is     self-supporting.

The polymers used in step A) based on polyazole contain recurring azole units of the general formula (I) and/or (ii),

wherein

-   Ar are identical or different and represent a tetracovalent aromatic     or heteroaromatic group which can be mononuclear or polynuclear, -   Ar¹ are identical or different and represent a bicovalent aromatic     or heteroaromatic group which can be mononuclear or polynuclear, -   Ar² are identical or different and represent a bicovalent or     tricovalent aromatic or heteroaromatic group which can be     mononuclear or polynuclear, -   X are identical or different and represent oxygen, sulphur or an     amino group which carries a hydrogen atom, a group having 1-20     carbon atoms, preferably a branched or unbranched alkyl or alkoxy     group, or an aryl group as a further radical,

Preferred aromatic or heteroaromatic groups are derived from benzene, naphthalene, biphenyl, diphenyl ether, diphenylmethane, diphenyldimethylmethane, bisphenone, diphenylsulphone, quinoline, pyridine, bipyridine, anthracene and phenanthrene, which optionally also can be substituted.

In this case, the substitution pattern of Ar¹ can be in any form; in the case of phenylene, for example, Ar¹ can be ortho-, meta- and para-phenylene. Particularly preferred groups are derived from benzene and biphenylene which optionally also can be substituted.

Preferred alkyl groups are short-chain alkyl groups having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, e.g. methyl, ethyl, n- or i-propyl and t-butyl groups.

Preferred aromatic groups are phenyl or naphthyl groups. The alkyl groups and the aromatic groups can be substituted.

Preferred substituents are halogen atoms, e.g. fluorine, amino groups or short-chain alkyl groups, e.g. methyl or ethyl groups.

Polyazoles having recurring units of the formula (I) are preferred where the radicals X within one recurring unit are identical.

The polyazoles can in principle also have different recurring units where their radicals X are different, for example. It is preferable, however, that a recurring unit has only identical radicals X.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the polymer containing recurring azole units is a copolymer, which contains at least two units of the formula (I) and/or (11, which differ from one another. The polymers can be in the form of block copolymers (diblock, triblock), random copolymers, periodic copolymers and/or alternating polymers.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the polymer containing recurring azole units is a polyazole which only contains units of the formulae (I) and/or (II).

The number of recurring azole units in the polymer is preferably an integer greater than or equal to 10. Particularly preferred polymers contain at least 100 recurring azole units.

Within the scope of the present invention, polymers containing recurring benzimidazole units are preferred. Some examples of the most appropriate polymers containing one or more recurring benzimidazole units are represented by the following formulae:

where n and m are each an integer greater than or equal to 10, preferably greater than or equal to 100.

The polyazoles used, in particular, however, the polybenzimidazoles are characterized by a high molecular weight. Measured as the intrinsic viscosity, this is at least 0.2 dl/g, preferably 0.2 to 3 dl/g.

Further preferred polyazole polymers are polyimidazoles, polybenzothiazoles, polybenzoxazoles, polyoxadiazoles, polyquinoxalines, polythiadiazoles, poly(pyridines), poly(pyrimidines) and poly(tetrazapyrenes).

The organic phosphonic anhydrides used in step A) are cyclic compounds of the formula

or linear compounds of the formula

or anhydrides of the multiple organic phosphonic acids, such as of the formula of anhydrides of the diphosphonic acid

wherein the radicals R and R′ are identical or different and represent a C₁-C₂₀ carbon-containing group.

Within the scope of the present invention, a C₁-C₂₀ carbon-containing group is understood to mean preferably the radicals C₁-C₂₀ alkyl, particularly preferably methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, s-butyl, t-butyl, n-pentyl, s-pentyl, cyclopentyl, n-hexyl, cyclohexyl, n-octyl or cyclooctyl C₁-C₂₀ alkenyl, particularly preferably ethenyl, propenyl, butenyl, pentenyl, cyclopentenyl, hexenyl, cyclohexenyl, octenyl or cyclooctenyl, C₁-C₂₀ alkynyl, particular preferably ethynyl, propynyl, butynyl, pentynyl, hexynyl or octynyl, C₆-C₂₀ aryl, particularly preferably phenyl, biphenyl, naphthyl or anthracenyl, C₁-C₂₀ fluoroalkyl, particularly preferably trifluoromethyl, pentafluoroethyl or 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl, C₆-C₂₀ aryl, particularly preferably phenyl, biphenyl, naphthyl, anthracenyl, triphenylenyl, [1,1′;3′,1″]-terphenyl-2′-yl, binaphthyl or phenanthrenyl, C₆-C₂₀ fluoroaryl, particularly preferably tetrafluorophenyl or heptafluoronaphthyl, C₁-C₂₀ alkoxy, particularly preferably methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, i-propoxy, n-butoxy, i-butoxy, s-butoxy or t-butoxy, C₆-C₂₀ aryloxy, particularly preferably phenoxy, naphthoxy, biphenyloxy, anthracenyloxy, phenanthrenyloxy, C₇-C₂₀ arylalkyl, particularly preferably phenoxy, naphthoxy, biphenyloxy, anthracenyloxy, phenanthrenyloxy, C₇-C₂₀ arylalkyl, particularly preferably o-tolyl, m-tolyl, p-tolyl, 2,6-dimethylphenyl, 2,6-diethylphenyl, 2,6-di-i-propylphenyl, 2,6-di-t-butylphenyl, o-t-butylphenyl, m-t-butylphenyl, p-t-butylphenyl, C₇-C₂₀ alkylaryl, particularly preferably benzyl, ethylphenyl, propylphenyl, diphenylmethyl, triphenylmethyl or naphthalenylmethyl, C₇-C₂₀ aryloxyalkyl, particularly preferably o-methoxyphenyl, m-phenoxymethyl, p-phenoxymethyl, C₁₂-C₂₀ aryloxyaryl, particularly preferably p-phenoxyphenyl, C₅-C₂₀ heteroaryl, particularly preferably 2-pyridyl, 3-pyridyl, 4-pyridyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, acridinyl, benzoquinolinyl or benzoisoquinolinyl, C₄-C₂₀ heterocycloalkyl, particularly preferably furyl, benzofuryl, 2-pyrrolidinyl, 2-indolyl, 3-indolyl, 2,3-dihydroindolyl, C₈-C₂₀ arylalkenyl, particularly preferably o-vinylphenyl, m-vinylphenyl, p-vinylphenyl, C₈-C₂₀ arylalkynyl, particularly preferably o-ethynylphenyl, m-ethynylphenyl or p-ethynylphenyl, C₂-C₂₀ heteroatom-containing group, particularly preferably carbonyl, benzoyl, oxybenzoyl, benzoyloxy, acetyl, acetoxy or nitril, where one or more C₁-C₂₀ carbon-containing groups can form a cyclic system.

In the above-mentioned C₁-C₂₀ carbon-containing groups, one or more CH₂ groups that are not adjacent to each other can be replaced by —O—, —S—, —NR¹— or —CONR²— and one or more H atoms can be replaced by F.

In the above-mentioned C₁-C₂₀ carbon-containing groups which can include the aromatic systems, one or more CH groups that are not adjacent to each other can be replaced by —O—, —S—, —NR¹— or —CONR²— and one or more H atoms can be replaced by F.

The radicals R¹ and R² are identical or different at each occurrence of H or are an aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon radical having 1 to 20 C atoms.

Particularly preferred are organic phosphonic anhydrides which are partially fluorinated or perfluorinated.

The organic phosphonic anhydrides used in step A) are commercially available, for example the product ®T3P (propane phosphonic anhydride) from the company Clariant.

The organic phosphonic anhydrides used in step A) can also be employed in combination with polyphosphoric acid and/or P₂O₅. The polyphosphoric acids are customary polyphosphoric acids as they are available, for example, from Riedel-de Haen. The polyphosphoric acids H_(n+2)P_(n)O_(3n+1) (n>1) usually have a concentration of at least 83%, calculated as P₂O₅ (by acidimetry). Instead of a solution of the monomers, a dispersion/suspension can also be produced.

The organic phosphonic anhydrides used in step A) can also be employed in combination with single or multiple organic phosphonic acids.

The single and/or multiple organic phosphonic acids are compounds of the formula

wherein the radicals R are identical or different and represent a C₁-C₂₀ carbon-containing group.

Within the scope of the present invention, a C₁-C₂₀ carbon-containing group is understood to mean preferably the radicals C₁-C₂₀ alkyl, particularly preferably methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, s-butyl, t-butyl, n-pentyl, s-pentyl, cyclopentyl, n-hexyl, cyclohexyl, n-octyl or cyclooctyl, C₆-C₂₀ aryl, particularly preferably phenyl, biphenyl, naphthyl or anthracenyl, C₁-C₂₀ fluoroalkyl, particularly preferably trifluoromethyl, pentafluoroethyl or 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl, C₆-C₂₀ aryl, particularly preferably phenyl, biphenyl, naphthyl, anthracenyl, triphenylenyl, [1,1′;3′,1″]-terphenyl-2′-yl, binaphthyl or phenanthrenyl, C₆-C₂₀ fluoroaryl, particularly preferably tetrafluorophenyl or heptafluoronaphthyl, C₁-C₂₀ alkoxy, particularly preferably methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, i-propoxy, n-butoxy, i-butoxy, s-butoxy or t-butoxy, C₆-C₂₀ aryloxy, particularly preferably phenoxy, naphthoxy, biphenyloxy, anthracenyloxy, phenanthrenyloxy, C₇-C₂₀ arylalkyl, particularly preferably o-tolyl, m-tolyl, p-tolyl, 2,6-dimethylphenyl, 2,6-diethylphenyl, 2,6-di-i-propylphenyl, 2,6-di-t-butylphenyl, o-t-butylphenyl, m-t-butylphenyl, p-t-butylphenyl, C₇-C₂₀ alkylaryl, particularly preferably benzyl, ethylphenyl, propylphenyl, diphenylmethyl, triphenylmethyl or naphthalenylmethyl, C₇-C₂₀ aryloxyalkyl, particularly preferably o-methoxyphenyl, m-phenoxymethyl, p-phenoxymethyl, C₁₂-C₂₀ aryloxyaryl, particularly preferably p-phenoxyphenyl, C₅-C₂₀ heteroaryl, particularly preferably 2-pyridyl, 3-pyridyl, 4-pyridyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, acridinyl, benzoquinolinyl or benzoisoquinolinyl, C₄-C₂₀ heterocycloalkyl, particularly preferably furyl, benzofuryl, 2-pyrrolidinyl, 2-indolyl, 3-indolyl, 2,3-dihydroindolyl, C₂-C₂₀ heteroatom-containing group, particularly preferably carbonyl, benzoyl, oxybenzoyl, benzoyloxy, acetyl, acetoxy or nitril, where one or more C₁-C₂₀ carbon-containing groups can form a cyclic system.

In the above-mentioned C₁-C₂₀ carbon-containing groups, one or more CH₂ groups that are not adjacent to each other can be replaced by —O—, —S—, —NR¹— or —CONR²— and one or more H atoms can be replaced by F.

In the above-mentioned C₁-C₂₀ carbon-containing groups which can include the aromatic systems, one or more CH groups that are not adjacent to each other can be replaced by —O—, —S—, —NR¹— or —CONR²— and one or more H atoms can be replaced by F.

The radicals R¹ and R² are identical or different at each occurrence of H or are an aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon radical having 1 to 20 C atoms.

Particularly preferred are organic phosphonic acids which are partially fluorinated or perfluorinated.

The organic phosphonic acids used in step A) are commercially available, for example the products from the company Clariant or Aldrich.

The organic phosphonic acids used in step A) comprise no vinyl-containing phosphonic acids as are described in the German patent application No. 10213540.1.

The mixture produced in step A) has a weight ratio of organic phosphonic anhydrides to the sum of all polymers of from 1:10,000 to 10,000:1, preferably 1:1000 to 1000:1, in particular 1:100 to 100:1. If these phosphonic anhydrides are used in a mixture with polyphosphoric acid or single and/or multiple organic phosphonic acids, these have to be considered in the phosphonic anhydrides.

In addition, further organophosphonic acids, preferably perfluorinated organic phosphonic acids can be added to the mixture produced in step A). This addition can take place before and/or during step B) resp. before step C). Through this, it is possible to control the viscosity.

The layer formation in accordance with step C) is performed by means of measures known per se (pouring, spraying, application with a doctor blade) which are known from the prior art of polymer film production. Every support that is considered as inert under the conditions is suitable as a support. To adjust the viscosity, phosphoric acid (conc. phosphoric acid, 85%) can be added to the solution, where required. Through this, the viscosity can be adjusted to the desired value and the formation of the membrane be facilitated. The temperature of the solution heated is up to 400° C., preferably between 150 and 350° C., in particular between 190 and 300° C.

The layer produced in accordance with step C) has a thickness of from 20 to 4000 μm, preferably of from 30 to 3500 μm, in particular of from 50 to 3000 μm.

The treatment of the membrane produced in accordance with step C) in the presence of moisture at temperatures and for a period of time until the layer exhibits a sufficient strength for use in fuel cells. The treatment can be effected to the extent that the membrane is self-supporting so that it can be detached from the support without any damage.

The treatment of the membrane in step D) is performed at temperatures of more than 0° C. and less than 150° C., preferably at temperatures between 10° C. and 120° C., in particular between room temperature (20° C.) and 90° C., in the presence of moisture or water and/or steam and/or water-containing phosphoric acid of up to 85% and/or in a mixture of a mixture containing organic phosphonic acids and/or sulphonic acids in water or phosphoric acid. The treatment is preferably performed at normal pressure, but can also be carried out with action of pressure. It is essential that the treatment takes place in the presence of sufficient moisture whereby the organic phosphonic anhydrides present contribute to the solidification of the membrane by means of partial hydrolysis with formation of organophosphonic acids and/or phosphoric acid (if polyphosphoric acid was also used).

The organophosphonic acids formed in the hydrolysis of the organic phosphonic anhydrides

result in an unexpected reduction in the overvoltage, in particular at the cathode in the membrane electrode unit which is produced from the membrane according to the invention.

The partial hydrolysis of the organic phosphonic anhydrides in step D) leads to a solidification of the membrane and a reduction in the layer thickness and the formation of a membrane having a thickness between 15 and 3000 μm, preferably between 20 and 2000 μm, in particular between 20 and 1500 μm, which is self-supporting.

The upper temperature limit for the treatment in accordance with step D) is typically 150° C. With extremely short action of moisture, for example from overheated steam, this steam can also be hotter than 150° C. The duration of the treatment is substantial for the upper limit of the temperature.

The partial hydrolysis (step D) can also take place in climatic chambers where the hydrolysis can be specifically controlled with defined moisture action. In this connection, the moisture can be specifically set via the temperature or saturation of the surrounding area in contact with it, for example gases such as air, nitrogen, carbon dioxide or other suitable gases, or steam. The duration of the treatment depends on the parameters chosen as aforesaid.

Furthermore, the duration of the treatment depends on the thickness of the membrane.

Typically, the duration of the treatment amounts to a few seconds to minutes, for example with action of overheated steam, or up to whole days, for example in the open air at room temperature and lower relative humidity. Preferably, the duration of the treatment is 10 seconds to 300 hours, in particular 1 minute to 200 hours.

If the partial hydrolysis is performed at room temperature (20° C.) with ambient air having a relative humidity of 40-80%, the duration of the treatment is 1 to 200 hours.

The membrane obtained in accordance with step D) can be formed in such a way that it is self-supporting, i.e. it can be detached from the support without any damage and then directly processed further, if applicable.

The concentration of phosphonic acid and therefore the conductivity of the polymer membrane according to the invention can be set via the degree of hydrolysis, i.e. the duration, temperature and ambient humidity. According to the invention, the concentration of protons is given as the ion exchange capacity (IEC). Within the scope of the present invention, an IEC is at least 2 eq/g, preferably 5 eq/g, particularly preferably 10 eq/g.

Following the treatment in accordance with step D), the membrane can further be cross-linked at the surface by action of heat in the presence of atmospheric oxygen. This curing of the membrane surface additionally improves the properties of the membrane.

The cross-linking can also take place by action of IR or NIR (IR=infrared, i.e. light having a wavelength of more than 700 nm; NIR=near-IR, i.e. light having a wavelength in the range of from about 700 to 2000 nm and an energy in the range of from about 0.6 to 1.75 eV, respectively). Another method is β-ray irradiation. In this connection, the irradiation dose is from 5 and 200 kGy.

The polymer membrane according to the invention has improved material properties compared to the doped polymer membranes previously known. In particular, they exhibit better performances in comparison with known doped polymer membranes. The reason for this is in particular an improved proton conductivity. This is at least 0.1 S/cm, preferably at least 0.11 S/cm, in particular at least 0.12 S/cm at temperatures of 120° C.

In addition to the polymers based on polyazoles, the membranes according to the invention can also include further polymers as blend material. In this case, the function of the blend component is essentially to improve the mechanical properties and reduce the cost of material.

To this end, the additional blend material can be added before, during or after step A) and/or step B) or before step C). As the blend material, polyethersulphones, in particular the polyethersulphones described in the German patent application No. 10052242.4, come into consideration. The further polymers which can be employed as the blend component include, amongst others, polyolefines, such as poly(chloroprene), polyacetylene, polyphenylene, poly(p-xylylene), polyarylmethylene, polyarmethylene, polystyrene, polymethylstyrene, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl ether, polyvinyl amine, poly(N-vinyl acetamide), polyvinyl imidazole, polyvinyl carbazole, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyvinyl pyridine, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyhexafluoropropylene, copolymers of PTFE with hexafluoropropylene, with perfluoropropylvinyl ether, with trifluoronitrosomethane, with sulphonyl fluoride vinyl ether, with carbalkoxyperfluoroalkoxyvinyl ether, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, polyvinyl fluoride, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyacrolein, polyacrylamide, polyacrylonitrile, polycyanoacrylates, polymethacrylimide, cycloolefinic copolymers, in particular of norbornenes;

polymers having C-0 bonds in the backbone, for example polyacetal, polyoxymethylene, polyether, polypropylene oxide, polyepichlorohydrin, polytetrahydrofuran, polyphenylene oxide, polyether ketone, polyester, in particular polyhydroxyacetic acid, polyethyleneterephthalate, polybutyleneterephthalate, polyhydroxybenzoate, polyhydroxypropionic acid, polypivalolacton, polycaprolacton, polymalonic acid, polycarbonate; polymeric C—S bonds in the backbone, for example polysulphide ether, polyphenylenesulphide, polyethersulphone; polymeric C—N bonds in the backbone, for example polyimines, polyisocyanides, polyetherimine, polyaniline, polyamides, polyhydrazides, polyurethanes, polyimides, polyazoles, polyazines; liquid crystalline polymers, in particular Vetra, as well as inorganic polymers, such as polysilanes, polycarbosilanes, polysiloxanes, polysilicic acid, polysilicates, silicons, polyphosphazenes and polythiazyl.

For the application in fuel cells with a long-term service temperature above 100° C., such blend polymers that have a glass transition temperature or Vicat softening point VST/A/50 of at least 100° C., preferably at least 150° C. and especially particularly preferably at least 180° C., are preferred. In this connection, polysulphones with a Vicat softening point VST/A/50 of from 180° C. to 230° C. are preferred.

The preferred polymers include polysulphones, in particular polysulphone having aromatic groups in the backbone. According to a particular aspect of the present invention, preferred polysulphones and polyethersulphones have a melt volume rate MVR 300121.6 of less than or equal to 40 cm³/10 min, in particular less than or equal to 30 cm³/10 min and particularly preferably less than or equal to 20 cm³/10 min, measured in accordance with ISO 1133.

According to a particular aspect, the polymer membrane can comprise at least one polymer with aromatic sulphonic acid groups and/or phosphonic acid groups. Aromatic sulphonic acid groups and/or phosphonic acid groups are groups in which the sulphonic acid groups (—SO₃H) and/or phosphonic acid groups (—PO₃H₂) are bound covalently to an aromatic or heteroaromatic group. The aromatic group can be part of the backbone of the polymer or part of a side group where polymers having aromatic groups in the backbone are preferred. The sulphonic acid groups and/or phosphonic acid groups can in many cases also be employed in the form of their salts. Furthermore, derivatives, for example esters, in particular methyl or ethyl esters, or halides of the sulphonic acids can be used which are converted to the sulphonic acid during operation of the membrane.

Preferred aromatic or heteroaromatic groups are derived from benzene, naphthalene, biphenyl, diphenyl ether, diphenylmethane, diphenyldimethylmethane, bisphenone, diphenylsulphone, thiophene, furan, pyrrole, thiazole, oxazole, imidazole, isothiazole, isoxazole, pyrazole, 1,3,4-oxadiazole, 2,5-diphenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole, 1,3,4-thiadiazole, 1,3,4-triazole, 2,5-diphenyl-1,3,4-triazole, 1,2,5-triphenyl-1,3,4-triazole, 1,2,4-oxadiazole, 1,2,4-thiadiazole, 1,2,4-triazole, 1,2,3-triazole, 1,2,3,4-tetrazole, benzo[b]thiophene, benzo[b]furan, indole, benzo[c]thiophene, benzo[c]furan, isoindole, benzoxazole, benzothiazole, benzimidazole, benzisoxazole, benzisothiazole, benzopyrazole, benzothiadiazole, benzotriazole, dibenzofuran, dibenzothiophene, carbazole, pyridine, bipyridine, pyrazine, pyrazole, pyrimidine, pyridazine, 1,3,5-triazine, 1,2,4-triazine, 1,2,4,5-triazine, tetrazine, quinoline, isoquinoline, quinoxaline, quinazoline, cinnoline, 1,8-naphthyridine, 1,5-naphthyridine, 1,6-naphthyridine, 1,7-naphthyridine, phthalazine, pyridopyrimidine, purine, pteridine or quinolizine, 4H-quinolizine, diphenyl ether, anthracene, benzopyrrole, benzooxathiadiazole, benzooxadiazole, benzopyridine, benzopyrazine, benzopyrazidine, benzopyrimidine, benzotriazine, indolizine, pyridopyridine, imidazopyrimidine, pyrazinopyrimidine, carbazole, aziridine, phenazine, benzoquinoline, phenoxazine, phenothiazine, acridizine, benzopteridine, phenanthroline and phenanthrene which optionally also can be substituted. Preferred substituents are halogen atoms, e.g. fluorine, amino groups, hydroxy groups or alkyl groups.

In this case, the substitution pattern can be in any form, in the case of phenylene, for example, it can be ortho-, meta- and para-phenylene. Particularly preferred groups are derived from benzene and biphenylene which optionally also can be substituted.

Preferred alkyl groups are short-chain alkyl groups having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, e.g. methyl, ethyl, n- or i-propyl and t-butyl groups.

Preferred aromatic groups are phenyl or naphthyl groups. The alkyl groups and the aromatic groups can be substituted.

The polymers modified with sulphonic acid groups preferably have a content of sulphonic acid groups in the range of from 0.5 to 3 meq/g, preferably 0.5 to 2 meq/g. This value is determined through the so-called ion exchange capacity (IEC).

To measure the IEC, the sulphonic acid groups are converted to the free acid. To this end, the polymer is treated in a known way with acid, removing excess acid by washing. Thus, the sulphonated polymer is initially treated for 2 hours in boiling water. Subsequently, excess water is dabbed off and the sample is dried at 160° C. in a vacuum drying cabinet at p<1 mbar for 15 hours. Then, the dry weight of the membrane is determined. The polymer thus dried is then dissolved in DMSO at 80° C. for 1 h. Subsequently, the solution is titrated with 0.1M NaOH. The ion exchange capacity (IEC) is then calculated from the consumption of acid to reach the equivalence point and from the dry weight.

Polymers with sulphonic acid groups covalently bound to aromatic groups are known in professional circles. Polymers with aromatic sulphonic acid groups can, for example, be produced by sulphonation of polymers. Processes for the sulphonation of polymers are described in F. Kucera et al., Polymer Engineering and Science 1988, Vol. 38, No. 5, 783-792. In this connection, the sulphonation conditions can be chosen such that a low degree of sulphonation develops (DE-A-19959289).

With regard to polymers having aromatic sulphonic acid groups whose aromatic radicals are part of the side group, particular reference shall be made to polystyrene derivatives. The document U.S. Pat. No. 6,110,616 for instance describes copolymers of butadiene and styrene and their subsequent sulphonation for use in fuel cells.

Furthermore, such polymers can also be obtained by polyreactions of monomers which comprise acid groups. Thus, perfluorinated polymers as described in US-A-5422411 can be produced by copolymerisation of trifluorostyrene and sulphonyl-modified trifluorostyrene.

According to a particular aspect of the present invention, thermoplastics stable at high temperatures which include sulphonic acid groups bound to aromatic groups are employed. In general, such polymers have aromatic groups in the backbone. Thus, sulphonated polyether ketones (DE-A-4219077, WO96/01177), sulphonated polysulphones (J. Membr. Sci. 83 (1993), p. 211) or sulphonated polyphenylenesulphide (DE-A-19527435) are preferred.

The polymers set forth above which have sulphonic acid groups bound to aromatic groups can be used individually or as a mixture where mixtures having polymers with aromatic groups in the backbone are particularly preferred.

The molecular weight of the polymers having sulphonic acid groups bound to aromatic groups can vary widely, depending on the type of polymer and its processability. Preferably, the weight average of the molecular weight M_(w) is in the range of from 5000 to 10,000,000, in particular 10,000 to 1,000,000, particularly preferably 15,000 to 50,000. According to a particular aspect of the present invention, polymers with sulphonic acid groups bound to aromatic groups which have a low polydispersity index M_(w)/M_(n) are. Preferably, the polydispersity index is in the range of from 1 to 5, in particular 1 to 4.

To improve the properties in terms of application technology further, fillers, in particular proton-conducting fillers, and additional acids can additionally be added to the membrane. The addition can be performed either before, during or after step A) and/or step B) or before step C).

Non-limiting examples of proton-conducting fillers are

-   sulphates, such as     -   CsHSO₄, Fe(SO₄)₂, (NH₄)₃H(SO₄)₂, LiHSO₄, NaHSO₄, KHSO₄, RbSO₄,         LiN₂H₅SO₄, NH₄HSO₄, -   phosphates, such as     -   Zr₃(PO₄)₄, Zr(HPO₄)₂, HZr₂(PO₄)₃, UO₂PO₄.3H₂O, H₈UO₂PO₄,         Ce(HPO₄)₂, Ti(HPO₄)₂, KH₂PO₄, NaH₂PO₄, LiH₂PO₄, NH₄H₂PO₄,         CsH₂PO₄, CaHPO₄, MgHPO₄, HSbP₂O₈, HSb₃P₂O₁₄, H₅Sb₅P₂O₂₀, -   polyacid, such as     -   H₃PW₁₂O₄₀.nH₂O (n=21-29), H₃SiW₁₂O₄₀.nH₂O (n=21-29), H_(x)WO₃,         HSbWO₆, H₃PMo₁₂O₄₀, H₂Sb₄O₁₁, HTaWO₆, HNbO₃, HTiNbO₅, HTiTaO₅,         HSbTeO₆, H₅Ti₄O₉, HSbO₃, H₂MoO₄ -   selenides and arsenides, such as     -   (NH₄)₃H(SeO₄)₂, UO₂AsO₄, (NH₄)₃H(SeO₄)₂, KH₂AsO₄, Cs₃H(SeO₄)₂,         Rb₃H(SeO₄)₂, -   phosphides, such as ZrP, TiP, HfP -   oxides, such as Al₂O₃, Sb₂O₅, ThO₂, SnO₂, ZrO₂, MoO₃ -   silicates, such as zeolites, zeolites (NH₄+), phyllosilicates,     tectosilicates, H-natrolites, H-mordenites, NH₄-analcines,     NH₄-sodalites, NH₄-gallates, H-montmorillonites -   acids, such as HClO₄, SbF₅ -   fillers, such as carbides, in particular SiC, Si₃N₄, fibres, in     particular glass fibres, glass powders and/or polymer fibres,     preferably based on polyazoles.

As a further component, this membrane can also contain perfluorinated sulphonic acid additives (0.1-20 wt-%, preferably 0.2-15 wt-%, especially preferably 0.2-10 wt-%). These additives result in an improvement in performance, to an increase in oxygen solubility and oxygen diffusion in the vicinity of the cathode and to a reduction in adsorption of phosphoric acid and phosphate onto platinum. (Electrolyte additives for phosphoric acid fuel cells. Gang, Xiao; Hjuler, H. A.; Olsen, C.; Berg, R. W.; Bjerrum, N. J. Chem. Dep. A, Tech. Univ. Denmark, Lyngby, Den. J. Electrochem. Soc. (1993), 140(4), 896-902, and Perfluorosulfonimide as an additive in phosphoric acid fuel cell. Razaq, M.; Razaq, A.; Yeager, E.; DesMarteau, Darryl D.; Singh, S. Case Cent. Electrochem. Sci., Case West. Reserve Univ., Cleveland, Ohio, USA. J. Electrochem. Soc. (1989), 136(2), 385-90.)

Non-limiting examples of persulphonated additives are:

trifluoromethanesulphonic acid, potassium trifluoromethanesulphonate, sodium trifluoromethanesulphonate, lithium trifluoromethanesulphonate, ammonium trifluoromethanesulphonate, potassium perfluorohexanesulphonate, sodium perfluorohexanesulphonate, lithium perfluorohexanesulphonate, ammonium perfluorohexanesulphonate, perfluorohexanesulphonic acid, potassium nonafluorobutanesulphonate, sodium nonafluorobutanesulphonate, lithium nonafluorobutanesulphonate, ammonium nonafluorobutanesulphonate, cesium nonafluorobutanesulphonate, triethylammonium perfluorohexasulphonate, perfluorosulphonimides and Nafion.

As a further component, the membrane can also contain additives which scavenge (primary antioxidants) or destroy (secondary antioxidants) the free peroxide radicals produced in the oxygen reduction during operation and thereby improve the life and stability of the membrane and membrane electrode unit as described in JP2001118591 A2. The functionality and molecular structures of such additives are described in F. Gugumus in Plastics Additives, Hanser Verlag, 1990; N. S. Allen, M. Edge Fundamentals of Polymer Degradation and Stability, Elsevier, 1992; or H. Zweifel, Stabilization of Polymeric Materials, Springer, 1998.

Non-limiting examples of such additives are:

bis(trifluoromethyl) nitroxide, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrinylhydrazyl, phenols, alkylphenols, sterically hindered alkylphenols, such as for example Irganox, aromatic amines, sterically hindered amines, such as for example Chimassorb; sterically hindered hydroxylamines, sterically hindered alkylamines, sterically hindered hydroxylamines, sterically hindered hydroxylamine ethers, phosphites, such as for example Irgafos, nitrosobenzene, methyl-2-nitrosopropane, benzophenone, benzaldehyde tert-butyl nitrone, cysteamine, melanines, lead oxides, manganese oxides, nickel oxides, cobalt oxides.

Possible fields of use for the doped polymer membranes according to the invention include, amongst others, the use in fuel cells, electrolysis, capacitors and battery systems. Owing to their property profile, the doped polymer membranes are preferably used in fuel cells.

The present invention also relates to a membrane electrode unit which includes at least one polymer membrane according to the invention. For further information on membrane electrode units, reference is made to the technical literature, in particular the patents U.S. Pat. No. 4,191,618, U.S. Pat. No. 4,212,714 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,333,805. The disclosure contained in the above-mentioned citations [U.S. Pat. No. 4,191,618, U.S. Pat. No. 4,212,714 und U.S. Pat. No. 4,333,805] with respect to the structure and production of membrane electrode units as well as the electrodes, gas diffusion layers and catalysts to be chosen is also part of the description.

In a variant of the present invention, the membrane formation can also be performed directly on the electrode rather than on a support. Through this, the treatment in accordance with step D) can be correspondingly shortened since it is no longer required for the membrane to be self-supporting. Such a membrane is also an object of the present invention.

A further object of the present invention is an electrode having a proton-conducting polymer coating based on polyazoles, which can be obtained by a process comprising the steps of

-   A) dissolving the polyazol-polymer in organic phosphonic anhydrides     with formation of a solution and/or dispersion, -   B) heating the solution obtainable in accordance with step A) under     inert gas to temperatures of up to 400° C., preferably up to 350°     C., particularly of up to 300° C., -   C) forming a membrane using the solution of the polyazole polymer in     accordance with step B) on an electrode and -   D) treatment of the membrane formed in step C) until it is     self-supporting.

The variants described above and the preferred embodiments also apply to this object so that they will not be repeated at this point.

The coating has, following step D), a thickness between 2 and 3000 μm, preferably between 3 and 2000 μm, in particular between 5 and 1500 μm.

An electrode coated in such a way can be integrated into a membrane electrode unit which optionally includes at least one polymer membrane according to the invention.

General Measurement Methods: Measurement Method for IEC

The conductivity of the membranes depends strongly on the content of acid groups, expressed as the so-called ion exchange capacity (IEC). To measure the ion exchange capacity, a specimen having a diameter of 3 cm is punched out and placed in a beaker filled with 100 ml of water. The acid released is titrated with 0.1M NaOH. Subsequently, the specimen is removed, excess water is dabbed off and the sample is dried at 160° C. over 4 h. The dry weight, m₀, is then determined gravimetrically with an accuracy of 0.1 mg. Thereafter, the ion exchange capacity is calculated from the consumption of the 0.1M NaOH until reaching the first titration endpoint, V₁ in ml, and from the dry weight, m₀ in mg, according to the following formula:

IEC=V ₁*300/m ₀

Measurement Method for Specific Conductivity

The specific conductivity is measured by means of impedancy spectroscopy in a 4-pole arrangement in potentiostatic mode and using platinum electrodes (wire, diameter of 0.25 mm). The distance between the current-collecting electrodes is 2 cm. The spectrum obtained is evaluated using a simple model comprised of a parallel arrangement of an ohmic resistance and a capacitor. The cross-section of the specimen of the membrane doped with phosphoric acid is measured immediately before mounting the specimen. To measure the temperature dependency, the measurement cell is brought to the desired temperature in an oven and regulated using a Pt-100 thermocouple arranged in the immediate vicinity of the specimen. After the temperature has been reached, the specimen is kept at this temperature for 10 minutes before beginning the measurement. 

1-21. (canceled)
 22. A proton-conducting polymer membrane based on polyazoles which can be obtained by a process comprising the steps of A) dissolving the polyazol-polymer in organic phosphonic anhydrides with formation of a solution and/or dispersion, B) heating the solution obtainable in accordance with step A) under inert gas to temperatures of up to 400° C., C) forming a membrane using the solution of the polyazole polymer in accordance with step B) on a support and D) treatment of the membrane formed in step C) until it is self supporting.
 23. The membrane according to claim 22, wherein in step B) said heating is up to 300° C.
 24. The membrane according to claim 22, wherein in step A), phosphonic anhydrides of the formula

or linear compounds of the formula

or anhydrides of the multiple organic phosphonic acids of the formula

wherein the radicals R and R′ are identical or different and represent a C₁-C₂₀ carbon-containing group.
 25. The membrane according to claim 22, which further comprises in step A), a polyphosphoric acid having a content of at least 83%, calculated as P₂O₅ (by acidimetry.
 26. The membrane according to claim 22, which further comprises in step A), P₂O₅.
 27. The membrane according to claim 22, wherein in step A), B) or step C), a solution or a dispersion/suspension is produced.
 28. The membrane according to claim 22, wherein the polymer used in step A) contains recurring azole units of the general formula (I) and/or (II) wherein

Ar are identical or different and represent a tetracovalent aromatic or heteroaromatic group which can be mononuclear or polynuclear, Ar″ are identical or different and represent a bicovalent aromatic or heteroaromatic group which can be mononuclear or polynuclear, Ar² are identical or different and represent a bicovalent or tricovalent aromatic or heteroaromatic group which can be mononuclear or polynuclear, X are identical or different and represent oxygen, sulphur or an amino group which carries a hydrogen atom, a group having 1-20 carbon atoms, preferably a branched or unbranched alkyl or alkoxy group, or an aryl group as a further radical.
 29. The membrane according to claim 22, wherein, in step A), the polymer selected from the group consisting of polybenzimidazole, poly(pyridines), poly(pyrimidines), polyimidazoles, polybenzothiazoles, polybenzoxazoles, polyoxadiazoles, polyquinoxalines, polythiadiazoles and poly(tetrazapyrenes) is used.
 30. The membrane according to claim 22, wherein in step A), the polymer used contains one or more recurring benzimidazole units of the formula

where n is an integer greater than or equal to
 10. 31. The membrane according to claim 22, wherein, before, during or after step A) and/other step B) or before step C), a further polymer is added as blend material.
 32. The membrane according to claim 22, wherein, before step D), the viscosity is adjusted by addition of phosphoric acid and/or organophosphonic acids.
 33. The membrane according to claim 22, wherein the membrane produced in accordance with step C) is treated in the presence of moisture at temperatures and for a period of time until the membrane is self-supporting and can be detached from the support without any damage.
 34. The membrane according to claim 22, wherein the treatment of the membrane in step D) is performed at temperatures of more than 0° C. and less than 150° C., in the presence of moisture or water and/or steam.
 35. The membrane according to claim 22, wherein the treatment of the membrane in step D) is performed at temperatures of more than 20° C. and less than 90° C., in the presence of moisture or water and/or steam.
 36. The membrane according to claim 22, wherein the treatment of the membrane in step D) is for 10 seconds to 300 hours.
 37. The membrane according to claim 22, wherein, in step C), an electrode is chosen as the support and the treatment in accordance with step C) is such that the membrane formed is no longer self-supporting.
 38. The membrane according to claim 22, wherein, in step C), a layer having a thickness of 20 to 4,000 pm, is produced.
 39. The membrane according to claim 22, wherein the membrane formed in step D) has a thickness between 15 and 3,000 μm.
 40. An electrode having a proton-conducting polymer coating based on polyazoles which can be obtained by a process comprising the steps of A) dissolving the polyazol-polymer in organic phosphonic anhydrides with formation of a solution and/or dispersion, B) heating the solution obtainable in accordance with step A) under inert gas to temperatures of up to 400° C., C) forming a membrane using the solution of the polyazole polymer in accordance with step B) on an electrode and D) treatment of the layer formed in step C).
 41. The electrode according to claim 40, where the coating has a thickness between 2 and 3,000 μm.
 42. A membrane electrode unit containing at least one electrode and at least one membrane according to claim
 39. 43. The membrane electrode unit containing at least one electrode according to claim
 40. 44. A fuel cell containing one or more membrane electrode units according to claim claim
 43. 